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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Reading festival

80 replies

Letmeout21 · 25/02/2021 16:32

15 year old wants to go to reading festival. Almost 16 by the time it comes round. Would you? Have you ever been?
Some points...
*Had a really tough tough time and needs something to look forward to
*suffers with mental health and poor decision making
*Hasnt got many friends so I don’t actually know the 2 friends she’d be going with plus their older cousins that would be over 18 and need to accompany them
*I can’t be sure she won’t drink, she probably will. I’m not convinced she wouldn’t do drive if offered and others were.

As you can tell I’m not keen but she’s begging and using her mental health to bribe me saying how happy it will make her ect.

OP posts:
Eggsley · 25/02/2021 19:45

@SmidgenofaPigeon I went in 2001 and the atmosphere was great. We had a fire and burnt stuff too.

londonschool · 25/02/2021 19:48

Sorry just read that she doesn't want to stay the night and you would pick her up. In which case I may be inclined to let her go. My daughter said that they check bags and don't let you take bottles in - say that you have to buy them in there. Obviously if you are camping it's easier to hide stuff but not in a day bag. She was not able to but alcohol as had no 18 ID.

SmidgenofaPigeon · 25/02/2021 19:48

@Eggsley I refused to wash my Reading hoodie for weeks when I got home as it smelt lovely of cider and all the smoke BlushGrin

Mummadeze · 25/02/2021 19:49

My sister and I went on holiday on our own to Tenerife when we were 16 and 13. Looking back I think my parents were a bit mad to let us but aside from getting our bag stolen and getting conned by a scam (!) and getting terrible sun burn we didn’t get in too much trouble. I do think we were too young looking back, and maybe 15 is too. But it does depend on how sensible the older cousins are.

Eggsley · 25/02/2021 19:51

@SmidgenofaPigeon me too, loved my Reading hoodie. Saw some amazing bands. Kept the wristband on for weeks as well. 😂

SmidgenofaPigeon · 25/02/2021 19:52

@Eggsley yes! I think they were fabric ones back then. Was such a badge of honour when I started sixth form after the summer Grin

Thewinterofdiscontent · 25/02/2021 19:55

Depends on how “lively” she is at home. She may well drink or do drugs but St Johns is well primed for it all. Much safer than a dodgy house party in the middle of the sticks.
I’d be more worried about some of the kids I know getting sucked into dealing or shagging horrible men.

MyDcAreMarvel · 25/02/2021 19:56

It’s not going to happen so I wouldn’t waste your money, the hassle of a refund and a disappointed daughter.

PattyPan · 25/02/2021 20:00

@Szboox

Can I just ask are 15 year olds allowed in without an adult?
They are for day tickets. Under 16s can’t camp without someone over 18 accompanying them.
peak2021 · 25/02/2021 20:00

Day ticket maybe, if accompanied by someone you know, but not otherwise.

Much as I like his music I cannot see Liam Gallagher being on prescription to help mental health. Your DD may learn 'a few new words' not to be repeated at home though.

Eggsley · 25/02/2021 20:01

@SmidgenofaPigeon yes they were, it was indeed a badge of honour, it showed how cool you were. Especially important as I was definitely NOT one of the cool kids. I wore the hoodie all the time as well, it was a cheap knock off one I bought outside the site for a tenner, but it had all the bands and stages listed on the back. It was a cracking year, Ash, Travis, Eminem & D12, Marilyn Manson. Can't believe it was 20 years ago!

ramarama · 25/02/2021 20:04

Day ticket? I would let her go.

My stepson went around the same age and camped overnight. They were definitely offered a variety of drugs (coke, pills, ketamine) so I would have a serious talk to her beforehand about what you are (semi) comfortable with her doing/consuming.

Overnight - I would say no

minniemoocher · 25/02/2021 20:08

Dd went but at 18. No way at 15

ktp100 · 25/02/2021 20:16

100% not.

There are always fights/muggings/rapes/stabbings at festivals, nevermind the drugs. I've been to festivals all over the World and have witnessed some dreadful things. They never put me off going to more but I was always an adult with other adults.

If no adults are going with them she's too young. IMO.

fourquenelles · 25/02/2021 20:18

My 17 year old wants to go with her 15 year ( nearly 16) old friend. Do they ask for id? Or just turn a blind eye?

They are shit hot on age limits and ID. One or two may slip through into the festival but I doubt even that. They will be Id'd for alcohol and it's "challenge 25" there. The local Tesco Extra is also very vigilant on who is buying booze. I know I have worked on the beer tents there.

SmidgenofaPigeon · 25/02/2021 20:30

@Eggsley the cheaper knock offs outside were the way to go! You could get any band t shirt you wanted from there! I still have a Feeder one going that was a fiver 😂 the 2001 year was definitely one I wished I’d been to, but the 2002 year was blinding as well- I think Muse were third or fourth down the bill on the main stage then, possibly with Ash just before them. Such good times.

Yarboosucks · 26/02/2021 11:18

Reading resident and festival surviving parent! Reading Festival seems to have become the post-GCSE rite of passage and most of the attendees are very young. As a result, the organisers are really hot on safeguarding and control of alcohol sales

Original poster
Letmeout21 · 26/02/2021 18:58

Well it sold out before she could get tickets so she’s now looking at others. I’m not keen.

OP posts:
Justgorgeous · 26/02/2021 19:06

I would not let my son go for the whole weekend at 16.

SmidgenofaPigeon · 26/02/2021 19:08

If Truck festival goes ahead this year it’s VERY safe for teens. I love Truck. I can’t imagine anyone gets into too much trouble at Truck, it’s a lovely atmosphere. Loads of parents were dropping off there teens last time I went, and then coming to pick them up again the next day because honestly the weather and then the resulting mud was awful. If you didn’t have suitable footwear you’d probably have got trenchfoot. If that was your first time at a festival I can understand how horrible it would be! The more hardcore roughed it out but many teenagers were crying down the phone to be picked up.

Senabak · 26/02/2021 19:11

I have a feeling that these festivals are going to be absolutely wild this year given the pent up demand knocking around. I’m not sure I would like my 15 years old exposed to that to be honest.

malificent7 · 26/02/2021 19:13

16 is fine imo. Dd is 12 and has been banging on about it...no damn way!

FenceSplinters · 26/02/2021 19:15

I was only just 16 when I first went, but that was waaaaaaay back in 1994. It was excellent. At least, I think it was. I can’t remember much...

Oblomov21 · 27/02/2021 14:10

Many of ds's friends got a cancelled ticket notification. They are understandably cross, as I would be.

Reading festival
SmidgenofaPigeon · 27/02/2021 14:45

@Oblomov21my god!!! I would be fuming Angry